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Disposable 'Fleshkus' drives ensure your memories some day hit the dump
We're a little less of a disposable society than we used to be, but that's not to say we wouldn't embrace an opportunity to get back into our formerly carefree and wasteful ways. This concept spotted over at Art Lebedev, designed by Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Ehrlich, could get us there, eight or 16GB thumb drives printed on cardboard and produced so inexpensively that you can simply tear one off, scribble on it, then give away to friends to share files -- just a concept at this point, but this vision of tomorrow seems awfully likely to us.
Ask Engadget: best high-capacity USB thumb drive?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Jakob, who needs a huge (speaking of capacity, not of physical size) USB thumb drive for reasons known only to him. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I want to replace my old 4GB USB stick with a new one. It should be at least 16GB, fast, and it can't look awful, either. Oh, and not too pricey." Brevity. Jakob has it. Here's hoping you've got a favorite flash drive suggestion to toss down in comments. Go!
HSTi debuts StreamStick WiFi dongles for video on demand
Is it a coincidence that "stream" and "extreme" are such similar sounding words? Just take a look at the totally radical dude that's slathered all over HSTi's CES booth and decide for yourself. The follow-up to last year's Wireless Media Stick, StreamStick is a wireless receiver geared at manufacturers that will allow them to provide media streaming from a dedicated device to any number of USB port-packin' TVs, DVD / Blu-ray players, game consoles, and set top boxes, via-WiFi. For the end user, this means that when you plug the USB stick into your TV, the streaming copy of Troll 2 you just rented from Amazon (for instance) will appear as a file that you can click on and play, as if it was locally stored. "The StreamStick," says President and CEO Ramesh Uppal, "enables content providers, of any size, to access a multitude of media players, exponentially increasing their customer reach while realizing new revenue streams that they wouldn't otherwise have." And we know how much you love revenue streams! Check out the PR after the break for all the nitty-gritty.
iTwin USB filesharing solution now shipping in America
Hope you didn't put your life on pause waiting for the iTwin to ship to the US of A, 'cause it took just over a full year to do so. The company's self-named device has finally been listed for sale in America this week, with just 50 limited edition builds able to head out prior to Christmas. If your memory has faded somewhat over the past 14 months, this twin-stick solution is meant to pass files between two USB-enabled devices, but unlike Infinitec's IUM, it's not making any bold promises related to media streaming. The concept is simple enough; just plug one of the twins into your computer, and the other into your pal's computer. It relies on 256-bit AES encryption to keep things secure, and if that's good enough for you, the source link is the where you need to be. These first-run kits are selling for $99 (plus $10 shipping), with a choice of gunmetal gray and lime green awaiting you, and if you miss your shot now, general availability will hit early next month.
US Military bans removable media again, this time probably for good
The US military has officially solidified its reputation as a flake, by banning the use of all removable media including thumb drives, CDs and DVDs again on its Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRnet) after relaxing the same policy in February. To prove they meant business this time, senior officers in each branch relayed the orders and reaffirmed personnel would risk of court-martial if they failed to comply. This seems silly to us considering Uncle Sam feels comfortable giving some cell phones access to secure data, and we all know how much damage losing one can cause. But then again, if history and Transformers are any indication, sometimes it's these little things that cause bigger breaches than anything Cyber Command focuses on stopping.
SuperTalent USB 3.0 Express RAM Cache drives join with Ceedo to make your apps portable (video)
There's no reason that a USB 3.0 device can't be quick enough to serve up an app, though most apps get finicky if you try to run them from removable storage on more than one computer. SuperTalent is trying to make that a little easier by bundling Ceedo Personal with its new USB 3.0 Express RAM Cache thumb drives. Ceedo effectively lets you install and run apps in a sandbox that can be moved from one machine to another, with the idea here being of course that you'd deploy that sandbox on your blazing new thumb drive and run those apps with wild abandon, as demonstrated in the video below. The drives start at $59 for 16GB then go up to $119 for 32GB and $209 for the 64GB model, but if you want the Ceedo bundles you'll need to pay $20 more for each. That is, at least, half what the software costs on its own.
Super Talent USB 3.0 RAIDDrive nabs an extra 55MB/sec
How's this for post-purchase pleasantries? Super Talent has just revealed a new tidbit surrounding the world's first USB 3.0 thumb drive (that would be the RAIDDrive), and it's one that takes full advantage of second generation USB 3.0 controller technology -- presumably on the PC side and not via a firmware update. The end result? An extra 55MB/sec on the benchmarking front, pushing its proven maximum speed to 370MB/sec. Head on past the break and mash play if you don't believe us, and feel free to start pressing your own storage boutique of choice for something similar for all those other SuperSpeed products.
TweakTown tests the best thumb drives, invites USB 3.0 models to the party
Most USB thumb drives are cheap enough that it rarely seems worth comparison shopping but, as usual with computer hardware, if you want the best you'd best look at some benchmarks. Following in the footsteps of Kristofer Brozio, TweakTown gathered together 16 of the fastest and most common models to test and some of the big brands, like Lexar, finished near the bottom in terms of performance. If you want a fast USB 2.0 drive, the Silicon Power LuxMini 920, a 64GB model, is the one to get -- if you can find it. Meanwhile the rather more readily available Patriot Memory models clocked in at a close second. However, taking all the honors is the OCZ Enyo, but given that's more of an external SSD we question its inclusion. For proper thumb drives, it's the USB 3.0 Super Talent SuperCrypt taking the cake for performance -- as it should for a $120, 16GB model.
Super Talent intros 8GB USB 3.0 Express Duo flash drive for $14
Pricing pressure, anyone? Super Talent has just put a serious kink in the plans of storage makers hoping to milk their dwindling USB 2.0 flash drive inventories into the holiday season, as the introduction of the USB 3.0 Express Duo line sets a new bar for MSRPs on these things. Expected to ship later this month, these critters are available in 8GB and 16GB capacities, with each offering USB 3.0 speeds, USB 2.0 backwards compatibility and price points of $14 and $29, respectively. Who doesn't love a good stocking stuffer, anyway?
Mimoco bumps out yet another Hello Kitty flash drive to celebrate Sanrio's 50th anniversary
It's no secret that we're very fond of Hello Kitty gadgets -- just like pretty much everyone else on the planet. And Sanrio's lucrative partnership with Mimoco has spun the famous cat's rep into... more awesome flash drives. It seems like Sanrio is always celebrating some kind of birthday, and for the company's 50th anniversary they've busted out more than their fair share of gear. This time, it's a "classic" Hello Kitty flash drive that comes in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities. We're kind of in love with Kitty's elongated face on this model, so if you so choose, you can grab one of these up for a starting price of $34.95.
Kingston issues its first USB 3.0 thumb drive: DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0
It ain't the first, but it's Kingston's first, regardless. The DataTraveler Ultimate 3.0 is the company's first foray into the wild and blossoming world of high(er)-speed thumb drives (following the likes of A-DATA with its own N005), with this guy in particular pulling down read speeds of up to 80MB/sec and write speeds of 60MB/sec. It's available in a trio of sizes (16GB, 32GB and 64GB), with a five-year warranty affixed to each. Regrettably, such speed and capaciousness won't run ya cheap, as these fellows are priced at $89, $138 and $270 in order of mention. Nothing the corporate card can't handle, though.
SanDisk ships its smallest USB thumb drive, the diminutive Cruzer Blade
We suspect SanDisk would have run into some friction by proclaiming that its Cruzer Blade is the world's smallest USB flash drive, but it smartly chose to word things as its smallest in order to not draw attention from those other guys. No matter how you slice it, though, this little doohickey is awfully minuscule, being "about the size of a standard size paper clip and weighing approximately the same as a penny." It's tailor made to hang off of your existing keyring, and it's available in capacities ranging from 2GB to 16GB. As for prices? $14.99 to $77.99, and (just about) everywhere in between.
A-DATA's N909 thumb drive taps into eSATA for extra oomph
It's not the first thumb drive we've seen that taps into eSATA in order to provide near-USB 3.0 speeds without a SuperSpeed socket, but A-DATA's N909 ditches that awful design scheme from years back in favor of a much more streamlined approach here. Designed to utilize that USB 2.0 + eSATA combo port that's found on most modern day laptops, the N909 doesn't require an extra USB connection for power. Internally, the four-channel design enables the stick to achieve transfer rates of up to 90MB/sec (read) and 50MB/sec (write), and it'll also function just fine in a standard USB 2.0 socket (albeit at far slower speeds). No pricing information is being handed down just yet, but they should hit shelves soon in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities.
Lexar's 128GB Echo SE USB thumb drive continuously backs up your netbook, mobile life
Previously available in 16GB and 32GB versions, Lexar's Echo SE line just got gigantic. And a lot more useful, if we should say so ourselves. With many SSDs topping out at 128GB, and quite a few netbooks shipping with 160GB HDDs, having this USB drive plugged essentially allows your entire laptop to be continuously backed up. The built-in, "no touch software" automatically backs up files in use, requiring absolutely no activation on your end. We're told that the little bugger will work with Windows and OS X platforms, but the assurance of having your mobile life backed up at all times will cost ya. And by that, we mean "make you $349.99 poorer." It's available now at various e-tailers (Amazon, Newegg, etc.) if you're willing to pay the premium.
LaCie's XtremKey tested... emotionally (video)
Look, we all know that the wusses at the Engadget HQ couldn't put a dent in LaCie's ultra-rugged XtremKey, not even if their moms packed handguns in their fanny packs alongside the Fruit Roll-Ups, Mace, and wads of PR bribe cash. So we decided to take a different angle in testing the drive: we decided to bum it out. Watch the video after the break.
LaCie's XtremKey: it's pretty rugged, we guess
OK GUYS, WE GET IT. Sheesh, it's like they think we're a bunch of klutzes or something. Sure, there was that one time with the garbage disposal... one time. But after that... alright, the time with the mud, and the thing with the ocean. Oh, and when we dropped 2GB of Word documents into a black hole. Still, we hardly deserve to be treated like children. LaCie has stepped up the condescension to new levels with its XtremKey, a drive that's waterproof up to 100 meters, temperature proof from -58 degrees Fahrenheit to +400, and resistant to 16 foot drops. This ruggedness is accomplished by screwing the USB drive into a 2mm thick metal pipe that can withstand the pressure of a 10 ton truck rolling over it. Like that would ever happen that one time. The drive ranges in capacity from 8GB to 64GB, and will be out in August for some exorbitant, as-yet-undisclosed cost. Check out a needlessly abusive video of the drive after the break. %Gallery-97432%
Infinitec's 'infinite' USB memory drive delayed until August, shown streaming to Xbox 360 (video)
If you've always wanted a D&D-style bag of holding, we're thinking Infinitec's IUM is as close as you're going to get, looking like a plain 'ol USB thumb drive but actually storing an infinite amount of, well, stuff. However, you're going to have to wait a little longer to reach into this magic satchel, with the unit's ship date being delayed until the end of August. The price is still the same, at $129, and the company was kind enough to create a video just for you that shows how it all works. It's embedded below, but if you're looking for the Cliff's Notes it shows pairing the thumb drive to a computer, installing some hosting software, and then streaming the Avatar trailer from a laptop to an Xbox 360 in HD with seemingly no lag nor dropped frames. Looks great, but will it work that well in the real world on a typical internet connection? We can't wait to find out. %Gallery-96523%
Crapgadget: frightening party favors edition
There are a few things in life you can count on. And we mean really count on. You may argue "taxes," but as one Wesley Snipes has so clearly proven, even those can be evaded given the right motive. Instead, we're arguing that the next installment of Crapgadget is indeed more likely to be unavoidable, evidenced by the fact that you're reading this right now. What's up in today's best of the worst? Oh, just a USB arm wrestler, a knockoff Land Rover mobile phone, a faux gold World Cup trophy storage device and a handgun that's anything but. And that's just for starters. Dive in below if you've got a stomach of steel and a thing for sick jokes, and be sure to cast your vote for which turns your evil smile up the most. Read - USB arm wrestlers Read - Land Rover phone Read - Transformers USB drive Read - World Cup Trophy USB drive Read - USB handgun Read - USB itch removal instrument %Poll-48544%
Concrete USB drives are worth their weight in gigabytes
Sure, a USB drive made of concrete might be a good enough idea on its own, but designer Shu-Chun Hsiao apparently doesn't settle for merely "good ideas," hence this so-called Memory Weights concept. Yes, it is indeed a USB drive made of concrete, but Shu-Chun takes things one step further by actually having the weight of the drive indicate its capacity -- 128g equals 128GB, and so on. Unfortunately, it is still just a concept, but reality is just a concrete mold away. Remember that, kids.
GameStop listing shows SanDisk's Xbox 360-branded USB drives at outrageous prices
GameStop listings are about as accurate as a 14th century musket -- especially when it comes to release dates -- but that didn't keep news site GameSpot from capping the above screenshot. As you can no doubt read, the picture suggests that SanDisk will indeed release a specially-branded 8GB USB flash drive alongside the Xbox 360's USB storage update -- but at twice the normal price for a drive of that capacity. Our red hot rage at this injustice is tempered somewhat knowing there's no concrete proof the $40 figure is correct, but knowing SanDisk (and, frankly, Microsoft's own propensity for overpriced storage) we wouldn't be surprised to see several green thumbdrives pulling a premium at retail next week. Once more for the record: as long as it's larger than 1GB, smaller than 16GB and you format it using the Xbox 360 menus, any USB flash drive will do. Update: According to Major Nelson, it seems that USB flash drives larger than 16GB will work with the Xbox 360 update, but only 16GB of the drive's space will be available for the Xbox 360 to use. Thanks, willowtwf!
